YA fiction often deals with difficult and sensitive issues for teens. But library staff can be uncertain about which books to recommend. In the first of a special series, On the Edge: YA Fiction, Samantha Marchello guides us through the landscape, offering insights and recommendations: All the Tough Topics: Sensitive Issues in Young Adult Literature.

And speaking of comfort zones, getting out of them is always a good idea. In this latest installment of the Readers’ Advisory column, Julie Wendland describes the value of Reading Outside Your Comfort Zone.

Looking ahead, Open Shelf will celebrate 1 year of publication in August. To recognize this we will be issuing a “best of” special release on August 1st (how can we possibly choose?). After that, we are taking the month off to recuperate. Next release of new material is September 1st.